THE HILLTOP HOODS
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Suffa (Matt Lambert), MC Pressure (Daniel Smith) and DJ Debris (Barry Francis) make up the Australian hip hop group. |
The Australian trio recently released their seventh studio album, Walking Under Stars. Their third album, The Calling, was the first Australian hip hop album to achieve platinum status, back in 2006. These guys can tackle almost any topic, from unrequited love to the disillusionment of a generation, with such savvy flair that you'll find yourself nodding your head to the beat, regardless.
Do yourself a favor and turn the bass up!
Recommended:
1. Cosby Sweater
2. I Love It ft. Sia
3. Nosebleed Section
Kele has enjoyed a successful solo career, releasing his first studio album, The Boxer, in 2012 (produced by XXXChange). On October 13, 2014 he released his second solo album, Trick. Notably more electronic than his Bloc Party days, Trick plays like a melodic and, at times, haunting narrative of the human experience of love.
Recommended:
4. First Impressions
5. Closer
6. Humour Me
Recommended:
4. First Impressions
5. Closer
6. Humour Me
JUNGLE
Jungle released their debut, self-titled album on July 14, 2014. This elusive British duo's sound has been called "midtempo 1970s-style funk" by the NYTimes. Pitchfork christened their flavor a "rather confectionary" mix of "bantamweight soul reminiscent of early '80s British acts." Whatever decade they draw their influences from, the resulting sound is unique, funky and full of soul.
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Formerly known simply as "J and T," Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland have been friends since childhood, growing up together in west London. |
Recommended:
8. The Heat
9. Drops
MYKKI BLANCO
Gender-defying Mykki Blanco has a knack for multiplicity. His raps are gritty, his voice is gravelly, and his flow is never anything less than eloquent. After dropping out of of art school (twice), Quattlebaum published a book of poetry in 2011, From the Silence of Duchamp to the Noise of Boys.
More of a performer who raps than a rapper who performs, he explains in a recent interview, “right now I think of myself more as an artist working with rap."
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This poet, performer, rapper, and artist was born Michael Quattlebaum Jr., but is most commonly known by his female stage persona: Mykki Blanco. |
More of a performer who raps than a rapper who performs, he explains in a recent interview, “right now I think of myself more as an artist working with rap."
Recommended:
11. She Gutta
12. Wish You Would